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Sunday, 16 February 2014

One thing that I discovered during my recent spring clean was that almost all of my modelling and painting consumables were no longer useable. Paint had either dried out or the tops of the paint tins/pots were unable to be opened, and the liquid polystyrene glue had evaporated away. Having just completed HMS Thunderer I wanted to paint her ... so I set off for the local branch of Hobbycraft to buy some supplies.

It was an almost completely wasted journey.

The Crayford branch of Hobbycraft had no liquid polystyrene glue and only a small section of Humbrol enamel paints. They did have some Tamiya and Revell acrylic paints on a small display stand, but my past experience with Tamiya paint has left me unwilling to use it again and the Revell paint seemed rather expensive. There was also a very small selection of Citadel paints on sale, but it seemed to consist of all the colours I would not be able to use. I was left with the feeling that the store was either waiting for new stock to be delivered or it was ceasing to sell these products.

I did manage to buy some Humbrol enamel paints (black and white matt that I use for undercoating my vehicles and figures) and some gloss varnish ... but that was all. I am now left with the prospect of having to visit the Hobbycraft branch in Orpington and/or the branch of Games Workshop at Bluewater to buy what I need.

This set me thinking about the demise of the traditional model shop in the area where I live. I can remember being able to have a choice. There used to be a branch of Beatties in Lewisham as well as independent model shops in Eltham, Welling Models, and Bexley Village. I had a choice of four possible places to buy what I needed within a radius of five miles.

None of them still exists.

There is a specialist model shop in Bexleyheath, but it seems to concentrate on old, rare, and collectible models rather than the more run-of-the-mill stuff that I want to buy. Until recently there was a branch of Modelzone at Bluewater, but that shut when the company closed down.

So where have all the model shops gone? I suspect that part of the answer is commercial – they were just unable to generate sufficient turnover to remain viable in properties which were subject to continually rising rents, service charges, and business rates – and part is due to the changing leisure habits of teenage boys. The latter are far more likely to buy a pair of trainers or a computer game than to buy a model kit. The loss of local model shops can be made up in part by purchasing what you need via the Internet, but recent changes to Royal Mail regulations makes buying modelling paint online much more difficult.

I know that we are unlikely to see a resurgence of the local model shop, but it would help if their 'replacements' either carried a wide enough range of basic items in stock or were allowed to post them to you without worrying about breaking the law.

The internet has contributed to the demise of the hobby shops as weel. This is why I went to acrylic craft paints a couple of years ago! They are also much cheaper than the modelling paints and work, in my opinion, just as well. I also use automobile primer spray paint (available in grey, white and black) for undercoating. Just do it outside.

It seems that we in the Sheffield area are quite fortunate. As well as the rather iffy presence the Wg Cdr refers to above, our Hobbycraft is rather better stocked then yours. Then there is a proper model shop (Marcway Models) and another (Antics) in the Cory centre, together with an actual Wargames shop (Wargames Emporium).

I suspect that the growth of the Internet is a major factor ... but I also think that the 'death' of many town centre shopping areas in the UK has not helped. From the comments that I have received, my experience seems quite common in the larger conurbations the south-east of England - where the costs of running a shop are very much higher than elsewhere - but less common outside of that area.

I will probably have to follow your lead regarding undercoating using acrylic car primer spray cans and painting with craft paints as they are likely to be the best available options.

That is my experience as well. The branch of Hobbycraft in Crayford used to carry lots of modelling bits and pieces, but over time the amount of space allocated to kits, paint, glues, and modelling tools has been drastically reduced.

If so large a market place as Great Britain can not support model shops, one has to fear for the situation in Kiwiland! At that I know of two model shops that quit trading several years ago, but another that that added wargaming supplies to its original (and continuing) trade in comics and graphic novels. The owner is a well-known war gamer in this part of the world.

I have strong suspicions as to what is going on, and affects our country as much as yours. In respect of the delivery of the Queen's Mail, whoever the economic dunce is who came up with the present regime deserves richly the fate Frederick the Great wished upon the Prime Minister the Earl of Bute.

The example having been set, I know that our own rogues' gallery that calls itself a government will enact the same stupidity.

David Cameron and John Key - two persons, who, like Rowan Atkinson's 'GERald', people emigrate to avoid. Really...!

In theory the UK should be able to support a network of model shops ... but it can't for a variety of reasons. I suspect that New Zealand is in the same - or an even worse - situation.

The Post Office has introduced regulations that restrict the volume of paint that can be sent by post. (It works out to be about three Humbrol tinlets!) There is a campaign to get the Post Office to change its mind, but like most big organisations it is resistant to going back on its decisions.

I cannot comment about the political leadership in New Zealand, but our current PM is probably the best of a pretty poor bunch.

The Kingston WH Smiths now has a Modelzone franchise, but it has a much more limited selection.Elys in Wimbledon carries some kits and paints. The Entertainer toy shop used to have a quite a few kits, but the number seems to be decreasing rapidly.

Dick Bryant's suggestion of acrylic craft paints is a good idea, especially as there is a good artist supplies shop - Fielders - only a short bus ride away.

The nearest model shop I know is situated on the outskirts of Tolworth, too far away for a casual visit...

The Kingston one is OK, it sells Humbrol Enamels for one thing and some scenics. No plastic model filler, though, which I use a lot of for my figure bases.

I am lucky in that I am half way between Addlestone Models and Dorking Models both of which are old style shops and still (I hope) going strong. I've been going to Addlestone since 1968 although it's on it's third premises since then!

Northampton has the very fine "Wellingborough Road Model Shop", which is still hanging on.

Looking at how Hobbycraft has changed over recent years it looks like they've done their best to kill off model shops, then having done so got out of the market. If WRMS didn't have regular patronage from Railway modellers and remote control car and plane enthusiasts I suspect we wouldn't have it anymore.

I suspect that Hobbycraft are following the policy that you have outlined ... but I cannot work out why they would want to get rid of the opposition and then not exploit the advantage they have.

It is the demise of generalist model shops that does concern me. The day of the specialist non-GW wargames shop is coming to a close, and it is the ordinary High Street model shop that filled the gap ... but even they are disappearing in my locale.

I never thought to look in Rymans for acrylic craft paint ... but I will now. I visit the various pound shops and will look out for their ready-mixed fillers as well.

I visited the Hobbycraft branch in Orpington this afternoon, and managed to buy everything that I needed. I did ask a member of staff whether or not Hobbycraft were going to continue to stock model paint, glue, and tools ,.. but she did not know and there was no duty manager available to answer my question.

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The First Rule of Wargaming and the Spirit of the Wargame

The First Rule:

‘Nothing can be done contrary to what could or would be done in actual war.'

- From 'The Rules of the Naval War Game' by Fred T Jane

The Spirit of the Wargame:

‘Wargames are played, for the most part, without the supervision of an umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual players to show consideration for other players and to abide by the rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the wargame.’

- Adapted from 'The Spirit of the Game' in 'The Rules of Golf' as published by the R&A Ltd.

About Me

I have been wargaming for as long as I can remember. One of the first toys that I was bought was a wooden fort that was garrisoned by assorted lead soldiers ... and I have never looked back!
The first wargames book I bought was CHARGE! (although I had taken out [and repeatedly read] Donald Featherstone's WAR GAMES book beforehand [and many thanks to John Curry for republishing it!]).
My first 20mm figures were the good old Airfix Guards Infantry and Band (in shocking pink!), soon followed by others as they were released, and by 1968, when I bought my first metal Hinton Hunt 20mm figures, I had a large collection of World War II figures, tanks, guns, and aircraft.
I was a founder member of WARGAME DEVELOPMENTS and have been the treasurer and membership secretary ever since. I have also organised – along with Tim Gow - the annual conference (COW – Conference of Wargamers) for the past ten years.
My main interests are wargaming any wars from 1850 onwards, although I have a special interest in Colonial, the Spanish Civil War, and World War II wargaming.
I also have a special interest in wargames that use square or hex grids for movement and weapon ranges.